The architecture's amazing

Expo's architectural heritage dates back to the first World Fair: London 1851, which gave us Crystal Palace. And without it Paris wouldn't have the Eiffel Tower (1889), or Seattle its Space Needle (1962). This year the UK pavilion has a beehive concept - a golden orb that buzzes and glows by artist Wolfgang Buttress. Other big hitters include Norman Foster's wavy UAE pavilion and Herzog & de Meuron's slatted-wood Slow Food pavilion.

It's kind of like a trade fair meets theme park, and that theme is food

Imagine the Millennium Dome's Experience created by 145 countries across 53 pavilions in an area bigger than 12 Millennium Domes and you're kind of there. The theme here is 'Feeding the planet, energy for life' and there's plenty to eat: the USA has food trucks dishing up lobster rolls and Korean tacos, and Italian food emporium Eataly has a vast space including 20 restaurants.

Advertisement

Millions come to see the weird and wonderful exhibitions

Almost 73 million people visited Shanghai 2010 and Expo history is littered with unveilings: the motion picture (Paris, 1900); the ice-cream cone (St Louis, 1904); the mobile phone (Osaka, 1970). Only time will tell what goes down in history here. In the meantime, take a dip in the pool at the Czech pavilion and shop the supermarket of the future.

It's not just Expo that has food in focus - Milan's unsung restaurant scene is finally in the spotlight too

The numerous openings in this fashion-forward city have made its foodie landscape one of the most exciting in Italy right now. Rebelot del Pont, headed up by Brazilian chef Mauricio Zillo, serves seasonal dishes spiked with exotic ingredients (such as mullet, mandioquinha, green tomatoes and lemon verbena).

Read next

11 cool things to do in Dalston

For more casual fare, Taglio is a deli, restaurant and café in one, serving simple meals (risotto alla Milanese; grilled mushrooms) made from local gourmet ingredients, many of which are for sale. Via Solferino is the city's hot gastro strip, with Zazà Ramen, Dry Cocktails and Pizza and Pisacco bistro all steps from each other. And La Cieca Pink focuses on still and sparkling rosés and pours 30 wines by the glass.